BOCA RATON – In a field that featured 17 teams from Palm Beach County, there were four that stood out and one that came out on top.
For the FAU Battle of Palm Beach 7-on-7 Tournament that took place earlier today (June 15) at the Tom Oxley Athletic Fields, there were several pool play games that preceded several single elimination rounds.
As the FAU Battle of Palm Beach 7-on-7 Tournament reached its climax point, Cardinal Newman was the team that got to claim the title as Palm Beach County’s best – at least for today.
Led by junior quarterback Luke Warnock (transfer from Cardinal Gibbons; recent offer from Maryland), the Crusaders put on a clinic against several opponents, including the title game against West Boca Raton.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound quarterback (26 total touchdown passes in seven games) connected with Steven Curtis (senior tight end), Chris Preston (senior athlete), and young superstar Naeshaun Montgomery (sophomore athlete; offers from Miami and FAU) for his three scoring passes as he led the Crusaders to a 25-6 win over the Bulls.
“Super proud of everyone,” Warnock said. “It was a long day and we had some guys playing both ways, but it didn’t matter. They still gave 100 percent every play and that’s how you win tournaments like this. We have loads of talent on our team.”
Presto spoke on Warnock’s level of poise and leadership that showed throughout the day.
“Luke made some great reads and some spectacular throws,” said Presto, who caught at least 10 touchdowns for at least 400 yards from Warnock today. “He’s definitely one of the best in the state for sure.”
Presto offered his honest analysis on how Cardinal Newman played today as a whole.
“We just played as a team,” Presto said. “When we made mistakes, we moved on to the next play, and a few of us went off today. Our defense was unstoppable.”
Vinkevus Pierre (senior athlete; offers from Pitt, Akron, East Carolina, Bowling Green, Rhode Island, and Stetson) caught four interceptions and have seven pass breakups today. He spoke on his overall performance on the defensive side of the ball.
“As a leader on the back end, I have to make the right calls and set the tone,” the 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete said. “We have the best players in the state in our defensive backfield. Josh [Philostin], Dallas [Desouza], and myself can play man to man with anyone. Cole [Dillon] is very good coming down to take away outs and slants. Overall, we are just going getting better every day.”
No one in the FAU Battle of Palm Beach 7-on-7 Tournament stood out more than Montgomery, who had seven touchdown catches today from Warnock.
One of Montgomery’s scores will go down as a play to remember for years to come. It came against Benjamin in the semifinal round, when the 6-foot-1, 155-pound athlete caught a long touchdown pass from Warnock.
Montgomery broke down the play in a way only he can.
“We were at the 30-yard line and I did a skinny post,” Montgomery said. “But I seen my quarterback in trouble, so I ran to the back of the end zone and he threw the ball up in the air. I went up top and grabbed it with a defender on my back.”
With all the success Cardinal Newman had today, it earned a bye in the FAU Battle of Tri-County 7-on-7 Tournament for tomorrow morning (June 16) at Oxley Athletic Fields.
NOTE: Cardinal Newman is one of four Palm Beach County teams that earned a spot in tomorrow’s Tri-County 7-on-7 Tournament. The others were West Boca Raton (finalist), Benjamin (semifinalist), and Glades Central (semifinalist).
